Former police officer employed relatives in drug trade

Published 9:43 am, Thursday, September 21, 2017

A former Nuevo Laredo, Mexico police officer residing in Laredo was the head of the local transportation cell. Keep clicking through to see the 13 things you need to know about the Zetas drug cartel.

A former Nuevo Laredo, Mexico police officer residing in Laredo was the head of the local transportation cell. Keep clicking through to see the 13 things you need to know about the Zetas drug cartel.

Photo: Edward A. Ornelas, San Antonio Express-News

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Here at the 13 things you need to know about one of Mexico's deadliest cartels, Los Zetas.

Here at the 13 things you need to know about one of Mexico's deadliest cartels, Los Zetas.

Photo: -, Courtesy

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1. Los Zetas are ex-military

The foundation of what the United States has called “the most technologically advanced, sophisticated and dangerous cartel operating in Mexico,” goes back to the Matamoros and Tamulipas-based Gulf Cartel. The group is comprised largely of former elite Mexican military and initially began as hit men for the Gulf Cartel according to CNN.

According to a graphic provided by Stratfor Global Intelligence Agency, the cartel occupies the gulf side of Mexico such as Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Campeche and the Yucatan. less

2. Where do they operate?

According to a graphic provided by Stratfor Global Intelligence Agency, the cartel occupies the gulf side of Mexico such as Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Vera Cruz, Tabasco, ... more

that cartel leader Omar Trevino Morales was apprehended by Mexican authorities in early March 2015. In 2013, former Zetas cartel leader Miguel Angel Trevino Morales was arrested by Mexican authorities in Tamaulipas, according to Tamaulipas media reports. Just one year before Morales’ arrest, Mexican marines killed former Zetas leader Heriberto Lazcano in a shootout as he left a baseball game, Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, said.

According to Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, a new leader of Los Zetas has not been identified.

4. Currently without leadership

According to Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, a new leader of Los Zetas has not been identified.

Photo: JULIO CESAR AGUILAR

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5. Drug smuggling and sales

Los Zetas partake in the sale and distribution of marijuana, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, however, Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA, said their biggest money makers are cocaine and meth.

Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA writes in his book, Deal, that Los Zetas also participate in extortion, kidnapping and theft of Mexico’s natural resources, human trafficking and money laundering through horse racing.

Michael S. Vigil, former chief of international operations for the DEA , said Los Zetas have been at odds with the Jalisco new Generation Cartel for a decade, calling the cartel their “sworn enemy.” So much that the Jalisco New Generation Cartel also go by “Mata Zetas,” which means “kill zetas” in Spanish.

After reaching its peak in 2011 with the New Generation Cartel’s dumping of bodies in the Boca Del Rio, the conflict between the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Veracruz has dwindled to dormancy in recent years. Both continue to operate in Veracruz.

While Los Zetas appear to be a stand-alone cartel on the surface, they work with many groups that originated from the Beltran Leyva Cartel, a trunk of the Sinaloa Cartel. After the Beltran Leyva brothers were either arrested, they maintained their alliances with the Beltran Leyva organization Stratfor Global Intelligence Agency’s Mexico security analyst Tristan Reed said. They’ve also worked with with La Linea in East of Ciudad Juarez and the Sierras in Chihuahua State.

Former chief of international operations for the DEA Michael S. Vigil said that because of the poverty in Mexico, it’s not difficult to recruit new members. “Some feel the only way out is to get involved in the drug trade,” Vigil said. “It’s very easy to recruit these young men, their only role models are drug traffickers and they see them riding around with new cars, beauty queens wrapped around their arms and that’s what they aspire to be.”

It was rumored that Los Zetas also went by “Los Legendarios,” but Stratfor Global Intelligence Agency’s Mexico security analyst Tristan Reed said this was perpetuated through intentional misinformation.

According to Stratfor Global Intelligence Agency’s Mexico security analyst Tristan Reed, Los Zetas recently changed up their strategy moving their focus away from high profile displays of violence which sent them further under the radar. Still, Reed said this shouldn’t be confused with power slipping. While the group has suffered substantially from arrests, it is still the most powerful group in Tamaulipas and among the most powerful crime groups in Mexico.

Click through this gallery to see incredible vintage photos of Mexico vacation hotspots before they were overtaken by cartels.

Click through this gallery to see incredible vintage photos of Mexico vacation hotspots before they were overtaken by cartels.

Photo: Getty

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1950: A woman sunbathes on a diving board at Acapulco

1950: A woman sunbathes on a diving board at Acapulco

Photo: Three Lions/Getty Images

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1950: Holiday-makers diving at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

1950: Holiday-makers diving at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

Photo: Evans/Getty Images

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Undated: Private home built into cliff overlooking Acapulco Bay.

Undated: Private home built into cliff overlooking Acapulco Bay.

Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

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1950: Swimmer diving into rough water lashing against rocky cliffs at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

1950: Swimmer diving into rough water lashing against rocky cliffs at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

Photo: Evans/Getty Images

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1950: Holiday-makers diving at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

1950: Holiday-makers diving at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

Photo: Evans/Getty Images

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1950: Swimmers on a diving holiday at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

1950: Swimmers on a diving holiday at Acapulco, the Riviera of Mexico.

Photo: Evans/Getty Images

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July 1952: A view of two water skiers in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1952: A view of two water skiers in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1952: A women relaxes in a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1952: A women relaxes in a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1952: A women relaxes in a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1952: A women relaxes in a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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August 1952: A group walk along the sandy beach with grass huts in Acapulco, Mexico.

August 1952: A group walk along the sandy beach with grass huts in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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August 1952: Fishermen hang the Sailfish and shark they caught off the coast in Acapulco, Mexico.

August 1952: Fishermen hang the Sailfish and shark they caught off the coast in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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August 1952: A group poses on the sandy beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

August 1952: A group poses on the sandy beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1952: A view as people sunbathe on a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1952: A view as people sunbathe on a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1952: A view of a couple relaxing on a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1952: A view of a couple relaxing on a boat in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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August 1952: A view as two women walk past parking lot on the way to the sandy beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

August 1952: A view as two women walk past parking lot on the way to the sandy beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1953: A group rest and relax at the pool in Acapulco, Mexico in July 1953.

July 1953: A group rest and relax at the pool in Acapulco, Mexico in July 1953.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1953: A group relaxes in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1953: A group relaxes in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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July 1953: A man and women talk to a local skier on the beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

July 1953: A man and women talk to a local skier on the beach in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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May 1954: A family vacations in Acapulco, Mexico.

May 1954: A family vacations in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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May 1954: A local man entertains a tourist on a beach Acapulco, Mexico.

May 1954: A local man entertains a tourist on a beach Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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1959: An unidentified man crouches on a hill and overlooks a beach near the Pierre Marques Hotel, Acapulco, Mexico.

1959: An unidentified man crouches on a hill and overlooks a beach near the Pierre Marques Hotel, Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Ralph Crane/The LIFE Picture Collection

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1970: A view of the Hotel Caleta and Caleta Beach circa1970 in Acapulco, Mexico.

1970: A view of the Hotel Caleta and Caleta Beach circa1970 in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Donaldson Collection/Getty Images

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January 12, 1977: A couple poses for a photo in Acapulco, Mexico.

January 12, 1977: A couple poses for a photo in Acapulco, Mexico.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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1982: A couple hangs out in the water at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

1982: A couple hangs out in the water at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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1989: A couple hangs out in the water at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

1989: A couple hangs out in the water at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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1989: A woman in a bikini poses next to a resort pool in this Quintana Roo, Mexico, photo.

1989: A woman in a bikini poses next to a resort pool in this Quintana Roo, Mexico, photo.

Photo: George Rose/Getty Images

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2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

2005: Vacationers hang out on the beach at Puerto del Carmen.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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Undated: People swimming in the underground river at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Undated: People swimming in the underground river at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Photo: MyLoupe/UIG Via Getty Images

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Undated: Vintage photo shows the beaches of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Undated: Vintage photo shows the beaches of Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Photo: Peter Bischoff/Getty Images

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Undated: A couple hangs out on the beach at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Undated: A couple hangs out on the beach at Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Photo: Getty Images

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Undated: A couple silhouetted by the setting sun, enjoying sights of Acapulco.

Undated: A couple silhouetted by the setting sun, enjoying sights of Acapulco.

Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

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Undated: Three Mexicans with double bass, guitar and accordion playing Mariacchi music on the beach. Undated photo.

Undated: Three Mexicans with double bass, guitar and accordion playing Mariacchi music on the beach. Undated photo.

Photo: Ullstein Bild/ullstein Bild Via Getty Images

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Undated: The Acapulco Princess Hotel Mexico.

Undated: The Acapulco Princess Hotel Mexico.

Photo: Dave G. Houser/Corbis Via Getty Images

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Undated: Former pirate ship La Berita in Acapulco Bay now used for swimming and fishing.

Undated: Former pirate ship La Berita in Acapulco Bay now used for swimming and fishing.

Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive

11 sentenced for involvement in Laredo-based organization that transported drugs for Zetas cartel

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Eleven defendants involved in a Laredo-based organization that transported shipments of narcotics for the Zetas drug cartel were sentenced Wednesday in federal court.

Erasmo Abdon Trejo-Nava, a former Nuevo Laredo, Mexico police officer residing in Laredo, was the head of the local transportation cell and was one of the primary transporters of marijuana shipments for the Zetas in Nuevo Laredo.

The Trejo-Nava drug trafficking organization used commercial trucks and trailers to transport thousands of pounds of marijuana from Laredo to the Dallas area.

Following delivery of marijuana loads in the Dallas area, the organization would collect drug proceeds and arrange to have the proceeds transported by couriers via personal vehicles or tractor-trailers to Laredo and then into Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Over the course of the conspiracy, which spanned from June 2011 through August 2013, Drug Enforcement Administration agents made multiple seizures of marijuana that totaled over 10,000 kilograms.

U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo sentenced Trejo-Nava to serve 15 years and seven months in prison and issued a money judgment against him for $5 million.

Trejo-Nava is facing deportation following his release from prison. His wife, Raquel Margarita Ramos Jimenez, is also facing deportation. She received a time-served sentence, which amounted to 31 months in custody, for her role in facilitating money laundering.

"Additionally the court issued a final order of forfeiture as to both of them for three residential properties and a commercial property as well as separate drug proceeds seizures in amounts totaling $173,240," the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Trejo-Nava told the court that he accepts the responsibility for what he has done. He requested to be sentenced to the "least amount of time possible" in order to return to Mexico and see his children and grandchildren.

"In my heart I feel I have abandoned (my family) because of my actions," Trejo-Nava said.

His daughter, Leslie Bernice Trejo, received a split sentence last month for her part in the conspiracy. She was ordered to serve six months in custody followed by six months home confinement.

Employing relatives

Trejo-Nava recruited several of his family members and others to assist him with the organization, according to court records.

His brother, Victor Hugo Trejo-Nava, 43, a Mexican national, received a 10-year and 10-month prison sentence Wednesday along with a $260,000 money judgment for coordinating the shipment of marijuana loads. He assisted with the transportation of marijuana from stash houses to a local warehouse.

The organization used various stash houses and business fronts in the Laredo area to receive and prepare the drugs for transportation via personal vehicles to the local warehouse.

Laredoan Francisco Colin, 44, supplied the group with tractor-trailers and truck drivers to transport Erasmo Trejo-Nava's marijuana loads. He was sentenced to serve four years and two months in prison.

Jose Angel Trejo, 45, was sentenced to serve 10 years and one month in prison for his role in coordinating the shipment of marijuana loads and traveling to Dallas to supply the narcotics.

Trejo and Mario Alberto Rodriguez, both Laredoans, wrapped and loaded marijuana into crates for Erasmo Trejo-Nava. Rodriguez, 30, received a 10-year sentence for his involvement in the conspiracy.

He was sentenced in July to serve 14 years in prison for his involvement in a major poly-drug conspiracy run by Juan Pablo Contreras out of Laredo. Contreras, an associate of the Mexican Mafia, organized the distribution of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine to members of the gang in the South Texas area between September 2009 and May 2013.

The government identified Rodriguez as one of three main carriers working under Contreras.

Marmolejo ordered Rodriguez's sentence for the Trejo-Nava conspiracy to run half concurrently and half consecutively with his 14-year sentence, meaning he will serve approximately 19 years in prison for both conspiracies.

Top organizers

Erasmo Trejo-Nava used his conspiracy to transport loads of marijuana for himself, Jaime Montalvo-Ruiz, 47, and Ovidio Rodriguez, 44.

Montalvo-Ruiz, of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, received a 12-year sentence after telling the court that he helped the community by providing money and organizing soccer tournaments for youth and adults and established an organization in Nuevo Laredo to assist with children in need before his arrest.

Two of Montalvo-Ruiz's recruits who worked in the Dallas area were sentenced for their involvement. Arturo Lozano, 48, of Kaufman, received a 12-year sentence for receiving and distributing marijuana. Leocadio Ruiz, 49, a Mexican national, was sentenced to serve five years and 10 months in prison for receiving drug shipments and collecting drug proceeds for Montalvo-Ruiz.

Rodriguez, of Laredo, was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison for operating crews out of the Dallas and McAllen areas to distribute marijuana transported by Erasmo Trejo-Nava's drug trafficking cell.

Rodriguez testified against Gerardo Moreno Recio during Wednesday's hearing, saying he saw Recio in possession of a handcuff key while he was in federal custody.

An investigation into Recio, 50, following the discovery of the handcuff key in his cell, revealed he was planning an escape from custody, according to authorities.

Recio denied the allegations and said he was forced to take possession of the key. He was ordered to prison for 12 years and seven months after the court found he obstructed justice. Recio, a Mexican national, was a stash house operator for Trejo-Nava's cell.

During the course of the investigation into the conspiracy, law enforcement conducted a search of Recio's residence in the 4000 block of Totem Pole and discovered 30 bundles of marijuana, weighing approximately 258 kilograms.

Investigators also located two AK-47 assault rifles, three semiautomatic handguns and 89 handgun magazines at the residence, records state.

A total of 26 individuals have been convicted and sentenced in four indictments as part of the investigation into the Trejo-Nava conspiracy. The other defendants received sentences ranging from 12 months to 10 years in prison for their varying roles in the conspiracy.

The charges were the result of a long term Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Investigation dubbed Operation Trena Sin Trono.

The operation was spearheaded by the Drug Enforcement Administration, IRS - Criminal Investigation, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force and with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, the Laredo Police Department and the Zavala County Sheriff's Office.